NOT YOU I’M SURE!!!!
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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything
Brigitte
Month: August 2016
AARP MAGAZINE
Do you get the AARP Magazine?
It has been put in my mailbox for some years, but I never read it until recently. And now turning the pages I don’t miss anything. And if you receive the magazine I would like draw your attention to an article in the June/July issue entitled Leading Ladies.
The Leading Ladies are Sharon Stone, Alfre Woodward, and Jane Fonda – as my grandmother used to say “age happens to everybody.” But without giving the story away here are some of the points they made – and I quote:
- Sharon Stone 58- I don’t think we have to accept the assignment of aging, that all of a sudden you’re supposed to be dowdy………..
- Alfre Woodaard 63- Age is what you decide you want it to be. I am still in motion.
- Jane Fonda 78 – If you would have told me when I was 20 or 30 that I’d be happier at 70, I would have said to you ‘You are out of your mind.’
The encouragement of these ladies is uplifting and can inspire any woman to make the best of life’s third act.
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Do you have a story you would like to share? Would love to hear it!
And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything
Brigitte
THAT’S THE SPIRIT
Sitting in the bus yesterday I sat opposite a lady who was reading the paper. When the bus stopped at Columbus Circle, she looked up and fumbling to put her newspaper away, as well as trying to hold on, she said,
“Oh my, this is my stop. I have to get out.” Having trouble to steady herself a young man got up and took her arm. With a big smile she looked at him and told him,
“Young man I don’t need help, because you see I am not old, I just look old.” and with that she stepped slowly out of the bus.
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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything 
Brigitte
AGE – WHY ARE NUMBERS SO IMPORTANT?
How often have we been told, read or heard, that age is only a number. Some of us – now in the higher numbers – totally agree that the number is not what is important. But then there are others who can’t get over it, not their own number or others.
This is what happened to me lately which left me speechless. On a sunny Saturday morning Annie, John and I were sitting in one of London’s Parks drinking coffee and waiting for James and Andrea to join us for a visit of the Soane Museum near by. I had not seen them for nearly two years. It wasn’t long before they arrived. Everybody hugged and kissed, and when it came to me hugging Andrea, she stepped back, looked at me, and without a Hi or Hello first, said,
“You never told me how old you really are?” It was so taken back that it took a moment before I answered but then I said firmly, “And I never will!”!”
She didn’t pursue the matter further but it left me wondering how important age – as a number – is to her.
My advice is don’t say how old you are – why do you want somebody to know that you are 70 when you look only 60? No, women don’t look their age today – check it out – look around and see all the good-looking seniors! Here are two of them 
And never forget – A Smile Changes Every Thing.
Brigitte
BUCKET LIST – DO YOU HAVE ONE?
Before ending the book signing at The Bell Pub in England I did a little survey by asking who of the ladies had a Bucket List. Two hands went up. When I asked why others did not have one the answer was always something like this, “I never thought about it. I know there are things I still want to do before I die, but never made a plan.”
Well a bucket list is a plan. Life coaches and therapists often suggest to write down what is in our heart to show us what we really want.
I handed out paper and pens and after 15 minutes collected the answers. Here are some of them:
- A nice young man – ( this came from a pretty, vivacious blond)
- Botox facial filler
- Go up and down the High Line in New York
- To walk the Inca Trail
- To walk the full distance of the Great Wall of China
- Learn to surf – well
- To build and own a donkey sanctuary
- Travel to Venice on the Orient Express
- To visit all the wonders of the world
- To write a children’s book
- To run the London Marathon
- Go to Iceland
- Travel to Avignon and stay for a long time and paint
- Take a train across Europe and stop at the places I really want to see
- See more of South Africa
- Take a river cruise down the Danube
- Go to Koblenz in Germany to see a painting my grandmother did, which now hangs in a museum there.(I asked her if she had ever seen it and she said never)
Some of these dreams are a little more difficult to fulfill than others, but not unreachable if you allow yourself to make it a priority.
By the way the lady who had never seen her grandmother’s painting is on her way to Koblenz. She said, “I am glad I came today, this is really a wake-up call.”
Tell us what is on your bucket list!
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The following photos are an encouragement for the lady who wants go to Avignon in France and paint.
And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything
Brigitte
EVERY GOOD THING COMES TO AN END
Including vacations — including mine to England and Italy. No, I didn’t send you a postcard but I brought one back to show you how beautiful the Trevi Fountain has been restored.
However, I did not start my vacation in Rome. I first visited London, where in a quaint country pub (pubs equal England for me) called The Bell in Purleigh, Essex a friend of mine who lives in London had organized a book signing party. The building dates back to the 14th century and is believed to have been the home of George Washington’s great-grandfather, who was the rector of the village in 1634. 
A perfect setting – and while enjoying cones with cream and strawberries plus a good cup of tea, listening to a chapter from the book made it a delightful afternoon. The ladies shared their feelings about growing older and answered a questionnaire about what is on their Bucket List (which I will tell you about in my next blog).
And when after a few hours everyone went home with a signed copy under their arm, I felt that the book had made a big step forward by coming to England.
And never forget – a smile changes everything.
Brigitte
